Martins Creek rallies to save the fire station

You've seen them in their bright orange overalls - the men and women of the rural fire service - providing the crucial role of defenders life and property when the bushfires are raging. But what is it that motivates people to give their time freely to defend their community? And what is involved in terms time and training?

The tiny village of Martins Creek, near Gresford, rallied to save its volunteer bush fire brigade earlier this year when around 20 community signed up for basic fire fighter training.

Sue Coutts explains the motivation: "People need communities, whether they realise it now, or whether they realise it later on," she said.

"When you're living in a rural environment like this you especially need your community."

In May Martins Creek came very close to losing its rural fire brigade unless a fresh injection of volunteers could be found, as Group Captain Grahame Chevalley from the NSW Rural Fire Service explained.

"Decisions had to be made whether the brigade would continue as a functional brigade," he said.

"Membership had deteriorated, and it was really up to the community to rally together and decide whether they wanted to support a brigade in their area."

Crunch time came at a community meeting about 30 people turned up to make a decision; of those present about 20 people signed up for basic fire fighter training.

"I was really surprised by the numbers that were there," says Group Captain Chevalley, a volunteer who oversees similar brigades at Paterson, Vacy, Lostock, Eccleston and Gresford.

Deputy Captain Keith White from Paterson Brigade trained the Martins Creek community up to basic fire fighting standards, which has only just been completed.

"They've spent a lot of time and effort doing their training," he said.

"There's quite a bit involved - you don't just throw them out and give them a hose."

Suzette Paton, a Martins Creek stay-at-home mum, expressed delight in donning the fluorescent orange overalls, although she jokes there has been talk of dying the uniforms pink.

"Once we started getting into the training and stuff it was really interesting," she said.

"The social side is really good [too] we have a great time."

Rachael Prummel, a recent arrival to Martins Creek, says the experience allowed her to get to know her neighbours better.

"[We've] definitely got to know some of the neighbourhood a bit better from going through the brigade and meeting Sue, because she just about knows everybody.

With a turnout of 20 volunteers for a population of less than 350 Group Captain Chevalley says it's 'a very good result' for such a relatively small community.

"I suppose that's why I was so surprised on the night, when so many people did turn up," he said.

"And they are all local members of the community, so it's been a fantastic effort."